President Mahinda Rajapaksa was elected with a mandate to end the conflict and bring sustainable peace to the country. In keeping with this objective, over the past four years, the Government has unwaveringly focused its attention on eradicating the menace of terrorism, and today, it has emerged victorious from this challenge.

In carrying out this committed endeavour, the Foreign Ministry and our Missions abroad have focused over the past four years mainly on seeking to dismantle the LTTE’s international network, countering the LTTE’s disinformation campaign aimed at tarnishing the image of Sri Lanka, and at the same time seeking to attract foreign investments and technical assistance for development work that continued in parallel.

I am proud to say that significant achievements have been made by the Ministry and our Missions abroad in this regard. Today, the LTTE is a banned organisation in over 33 countries while a number of LTTE activists abroad are behind bars. Nevertheless, we will not let down our guard, as a lot more remains to be done, and we will not let up on our efforts in taking the necessary follow up action on counter terrorism measures that need continuous vigilance and monitoring.

The time is opportune for us now to focus on strengthening our economy which was further affected due to the impact of the global economic downturn. As we emerge from this dark era where all our energies and resources were concentrated towards combating terrorism, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will focus its energies towards a people centered foreign policy, aimed at attracting trade and socio-economic benefits for the Sri Lankan people.

While working at combating terrorism, the Government also continued to focus on getting foreign assistance for development projects. The Government was successful, with the contribution of the Foreign Ministry, in securing international assistance for a number of infrastructure development projects to benefit the entire nation. Among these are

- Upgrading the Colombo-Matara Railway Line - Port Development Projects in Galle, Hambantota, Oluvil and Expansion of Colombo Port - Greater Colombo Transport Development Project - Southern Highway Construction Project - Puttalama Coal Power Project - Uma Oya Hydo electric and Irrigation Project - India Dollar Credit Line Agreement

We will continue to work with the international community to further enhance infrastructure development and increase investments which will no doubt augment employment opportunities to a cross section of Sri Lankans and add to our developmental efforts.

Multilateral area

In keeping with the principle of a non aligned foreign policy, as enunciated in the Mahinda Chinthanaya, Sri Lanka has strengthened its historical and long-standing relations with the countries in the East and the developing nations, while enhancing its relations with the west.

Looking back, I am pleased to highlight some of Sri Lanka’s achievements in the international arena such as securing membership in key organizations where the new architecture for the international system is being built. This includes the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF), Shangri-La Dialogue, Asia Cooperation Dialogue (ACD), the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, Asia Middle East Dialogue (AMED), G-15 and G-11. Sri Lanka has also made considerable headway in these fora and is now the current Chair of SAARC and ACD. Sri Lanka is also billed to Chair the G-15 from this year.

This is perhaps the first time that Sri Lanka is holding the Chairmanship of three important international and regional organizations. In addition, Sri Lanka was endorsed to host the 2013 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM).

In the midst of a time of turbulence while pursuing action against terrorism, Sri Lanka was able to step into several international organizations and fora to enable our country to have the widest possible engagement with global decision-makers.

In our bid to strengthen our bilateral ties and widen our international engagement, Sri Lanka has opened an Embassy in Tripoli, Libya and a Consulate in Chengdu, China last year. Currently, Sri Lanka has 58 diplomatic/consular representations abroad. Plans are also underway to establish further Missions in the African, European and the Far Eastern regions.

High level visits

In continuing our engagement with the international community, President Mahinda Rajapaksa undertook State Visits to a number of countries over the last four years, while many Heads of States and Governments and other important dignitaries including the Secretary General of the United Nations, Ban Ki Moon, visited Sri Lanka.

Further, greater visibility has been accorded to our engagement with several important missions being undertaken by Foreign Ministers and other special representatives. These visits have not only boosted Sri Lanka’s relations with the international community but have also opened many avenues to promote the Economic Diplomacy Initiative spearheaded by the Foreign Ministry, since I assumed office as Foreign Minister.

Vision

The focus of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as we enter a new chapter in the history of our country is to work towards building a people centred foreign policy. Now that the country is moving towards sustainable peace and national reconciliation, our Missions are expected to promote economic initiatives and activities which would directly benefit the people of Sri Lanka.

At the same time, the Sri Lanka Missions abroad would want to continue to engage to the maximum possible cultivating all Sri Lankans living outside Sri Lanka. The consular services provided by the Ministry both in Colombo and abroad would be further improved to serve Sri Lankans in all parts of the world.

At a time when the LTTE has been militarily defeated in Sri Lanka, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and our Missions abroad will work on a diverse and extensive campaign to thwart attempts by the remnants of the LTTE and elements supportive of the pro-LTTE groups abroad, from resurfacing. Our Missions abroad have been advised to proactively work with members of the Sri Lankan diaspora to counter the attempts of LTTE elements abroad to politicize and radicalize the youth from the Tamil Diaspora.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will work in close partnership with other Ministries and Departments to ensure that our foreign policy and the partnerships we develop contribute in a tangible manner to the attainment of the Government’s goal of rapid and strong economic and social development.

Thank you.

12-01-2010